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Test Drive: Tesla Model S P85+

Every few months, I visit with my friends at the Tesla store in Marietta to be sure I stay acquainted with the latest on the Model S. On my visit last week, I was treated to test drive the top of the line P85+ model. Yes the one that has 416 hp and lists well north of $100,000 with options. I’ve driven its sisters the 60 and 85 kWh vehicles, which impressed me to the point of keeping an active design on the Tesla website. One day!

On this visit, I was hosted by new sales consultant Cameron, who knows his product very well. He pointed out all the key features of the P85+ while helping me keep my eyes on the road. The highlight of the test drive is the ‘acceleration test’ conducted on the 120 Loop, which is a 4-6 lane oval around the City of Marietta. With an open road ahead of us, Cameron encouraged me to feel the full power of the P85+. And power it has! While I will not reveal 0-60 times or maximum speed, let’s just say that this car has gobs of power, stays extremely well controlled on high-speed turns and keeps itself firmly planted in the center of the lane. And even with the high-speed driving and acceleration tests, we used only 8 miles of battery range in the process.

So at the end of the test drive, Cameron helped me refine my Model S design online. There’s an almost endless combination of exterior colors (I choose dark blue), wheel and tire packages (21 inch Continentals for me), interior trim (grey nappa leather, Obeche gloss wood trim), battery size/range (85 kWh – 265 EPA rated range) and options (Tech Package is a must). If you are concerned about driving outside of metro Atlanta, Georgia now has SuperCharger stations located in Macon, Tifton and Savannah and one planned for Atlantic Station. Of course, I added the SuperCharger option to my Tesla design.

If you have not had the chance to test drive any of the Model S offerings, contact Cale, Brandon, Harry or Cameron at (678) 797-1808. You’ll be glad you did!

I am an "EVangelist" who wants you to experience the joys of driving and owning electric vehicles. I currently own a 2015 Tesla Model S 60, and have owned/leased a 2015 Nissan LEAF and 2013 and 2014 Chevrolet VOLTs. I maintain two Wordpress blogs: an EV information focused blog (AtlantaEVDC.com) and an EV Rental blog (gaeventures.com) and Facebook page (facebook.com/gaeventures) and three Twitter Sites: @JBCMKTR (personal), @AtlantaEV and @GAEVentures and JBCMKTR on Instagram.